Home Solar And Wind Power

Solar and wind power in the home are probably the most widely used forms of alternative energy. When used in conjunction they form a totally green, round the clock hybrid energy system. They can even be wired into the utility grid connected system to supply the majority of your energy needs while the utility company functions as your backup energy source.

A solar power system will supply electricity generated by the rays of the sun. Solar panels lined with a semiconductor which generates electricity whenever the rays strike it can be installed either using a roof, pole, or ground mount. Such mounts are usually equipped with motors which let the panels be tilted during the course of the day so they can follow the sun’s path.

The electricity generated through a solar panel is passed to a regulator/controller and then onto an inverter. the inverter converts the direct current to alternate current (AC). This is done because most homes run on AC. Once it is converted it can go into the home and used to power all your appliances and facilities. If it is not converted it can be stored in batteries as direct current.

Creating electricity is the same when using a wind power system, except that it is generated in the body of a turbine. The turbine is the huge, fan-like part with blades at the top of iron towers we sometimes see on hillsides.

For a wind power system, the wind first turns the blades of a wind turbine. The turbine is connected by a shaft to a generator and as the shaft turns, electricity is generated. The electricity is then sent directly to the electrical system and can augment or substitute any solar power system you may have, or can be stored.

Wind power requires slightly less initial equipment costs as the bulk of the equipment cost is the turbine which is significantly less expensive than most solar arrays. The downside is that the turbine is going to have to be mounted fairly high off the ground on a tower style mount that is stronger but more expensive to install. An installation of this type will more than likely require zoning approval from the municipality that it is installed in and a great deal more planning.

When you connect a solar power system with a wind power system, each part can operate in tandem to compensate and complement each other. Wind power can be produced at any time while solar has its natural limits based on the hours that the sun shines and bad weather. Conversely bad weather for a solar system maybe good weather for a wind generator. Both these systems can be built quite cheaply depending on the amount of power you want to create. Some guide suggests this figure could be as low as $400. However a professionally designed and installed system would cost much more than this.